Climate-Resilient Geotechnics: Unsaturated Soils, Bio-Mediated Ground Improvement, and Nature-Based Solutions
Keywords:
Climate resilience, Unsaturated soils, Bio-mediated ground improvement, Nature-based solutions, Sustainable geotechnics, Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP); Eco-engineeringAbstract
This review aimed to synthesize and evaluate the state-of-the-art scientific evidence on the role of unsaturated soil behavior, bio-mediated ground improvement, and nature-based geotechnical solutions in enhancing the resilience of geotechnical systems under climate-induced stressors. This study adopted a qualitative systematic review design using a content analysis approach. Twenty peer-reviewed articles published between 2014 and 2025 were selected from major academic databases including Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. The inclusion criteria focused on empirical or analytical studies addressing climate-resilient geotechnical frameworks, particularly those involving unsaturated soil mechanics, bio-mediated stabilization, or nature-based reinforcement. The data collection relied solely on literature review, with theoretical saturation achieved at 20 articles. Data analysis was conducted using Nvivo 14 software, employing open, axial, and selective coding to identify dominant themes and subthemes. Triangulation and iterative cross-verification ensured analytical rigor and reliability. Three major themes emerged from the analysis. The first, unsaturated soil behavior under climate stressors, revealed that hydro-mechanical coupling, desiccation cracking, and thermal–hydrological variability significantly influence soil resilience under changing climatic conditions. The second, bio-mediated ground improvement (BMGI), highlighted the growing effectiveness of microbial and enzymatic calcite precipitation (MICP and EICP), biopolymer stabilization, and biochar treatment as sustainable, low-carbon alternatives to conventional methods. The third, nature-based and ecosystem geotechnical solutions, emphasized vegetation–soil interaction, root reinforcement, and green infrastructure as key adaptive strategies enhancing both mechanical stability and ecological functionality. The findings underscore a paradigm shift in geotechnical engineering from conventional, static designs toward integrated, adaptive, and sustainable systems. By combining physical, biological, and ecological mechanisms, climate-resilient geotechnics offers a transformative framework for sustainable infrastructure capable of enduring the multifaceted challenges of climate change.
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